Linux Kernel up to 6.12.110/6.18.52/7.2.6/7.3-rc1 sctp timer_reduce use after free

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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Current Exploit Price (≈)
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CTI Interest Score
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9.5$5k-$25k0.00+

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability identified as very critical has been detected in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.110/6.18.52/7.2.6/7.3-rc1. This impacts the function timer_reduce of the component sctp. This manipulation causes use after free. This vulnerability is tracked as CVE-2026-98130. The attack is possible to be carried out remotely. No exploit exists. You should upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.110/6.18.52/7.2.6/7.3-rc1. It has been declared as very critical. Affected by this vulnerability is the function timer_reduce of the component sctp. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a use after free vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-416. Referencing memory after it has been freed can cause a program to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: sctp: fix a TOCTOU race in SCTP_CMD_TIMER_START The SCTP_CMD_TIMER_START handler checks timer_pending() before calling timer_reduce(). The timer can expire and detach between these operations, causing timer_reduce() to rearm the timer without taking the association reference required for the newly armed timer. The timer callback later unconditionally drops its association reference, which can leave the association reference count unbalanced and result in use-after-free during association teardown. Use the return value of timer_reduce() to determine whether the timer was actually armed. Take the association reference only when timer_reduce() successfully starts a new timer, closing the race between checking the timer state and rearming it. This issue was reported by Nico Yip (@_cyeaa_) working with TrendAI Zero Day Initiative.

The advisory is shared at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2026-98130 since 09/25/2026. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack can be launched remotely. The exploitation doesn't need any form of authentication. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available. The price for an exploit might be around USD $5k-$25k at the moment (estimation calculated on 09/25/2026).

Upgrading to version 6.12.111, 6.18.53, 7.2.7 or 7.3-rc2 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch e42ba56281ca3ae2dcb3558bebee9a1c9a4831d9/00b841bac10230c557be6b38efc48508198fe23e/3d698d1e6c8bc41e3e1707777a016f1bdd07842d/2188569e7e1b0bc3f3b557dc97ab7a02befc11c8 is able to eliminate this problem. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.

Productinfo

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Version

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 10.0
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 9.5

VulDB Base Score: 10.0
VulDB Temp Score: 9.5
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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💳💳💳💳💳💳
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Use after free
CWE: CWE-416 / CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined
Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.12.111/6.18.53/7.2.7/7.3-rc2
Patch: e42ba56281ca3ae2dcb3558bebee9a1c9a4831d9/00b841bac10230c557be6b38efc48508198fe23e/3d698d1e6c8bc41e3e1707777a016f1bdd07842d/2188569e7e1b0bc3f3b557dc97ab7a02befc11c8

Timelineinfo

09/25/2026 Advisory disclosed
09/25/2026 +0 days CVE reserved
09/25/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
09/25/2026 +0 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-98130 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-98130
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-409957

Entryinfo

Created: 09/25/2026 13:16
Changes: 09/25/2026 13:16 (59)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.

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